It was a gorgeous summer morning in 2024 and I was working at my dream job. I had my headphones in and listened to bird songs and nature tracks. I was in my own floral explosion world watering and pruning. I thought I heard a man yelling, so I took my ear buds out and located the anger.

The man was screaming, quite scarily, into a cell phone. He had papers in his hand. I purposely moved away from him because his energy was on fire. He went inside the store and I breathed a sigh of relief. In full transparency, I got scared. America is storing some of the darkest energy right now and you never know what people are capable of when their anger is spilling over into their words and actions.

10 minutes later he comes back out and looks around like he’s trying to find something. He locks eyes with me and starts hoofing it towards me. I ripped my earbuds out and felt fear, but remained calm. He started punching things in on his phone as I stared at him quizzically. Then his phone started spitting out things in English and he pushed it into my hand. I noticed it was a translator app and the languages were Russian and English.

We had a long back and forth conversation. He told me that he just arrived in America and has to be at a factory job tonight at 9pm with printed paperwork. I knew the place I worked had copiers, so I brought him back in with me. Surely my co-workers would oblige? This man is trying to get a fair job and all we have to do is print one piece of paper for him.

False. They were jerks. I was speechless! I couldn’t believe they wouldn’t do it and they kept spouting off corporate policy. I was enraged! I told him to follow me back outside by the flowers. I told him he needed to get to a public library or Staples where he get copies made because that’s how America is. However – he didn’t have a car and these places are miles away.

He was getting frustrated and I was feeling terrible for him. He kept pointing out gas station, fast food chains, and grocery stores that enveloped us.

“Sister, why not these places? I don’t have a car and I can’t be late to my first day!!”

Each time he addressed me he said, “Sister.” I’m sure that’s a cultural thing, but it made my heart grow exponentially for him. I wanted nothing more than to do all of it for him. I can’t imagine being an immigrant in a foreign country and not understanding their rules and regulations.

I tried my hardest to push him to get to a library or print center, but I don’t think he had any way of getting there on time. He said he was sure Taco Bell would print it for him, which I knew they wouldn’t. I told him,

“I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m glad you’re here. But America is greedy. Even for one piece of paper, they want you to pay for it. I wish it wasn’t this way, but it is. I know it’s not kind or helpful, but my hands are tied.”

I could tell my answer infuriated him as he shoved his phone in his pocket. It was clear he was done talking to me. I felt disheartened. Then out of no where he said, “Thank you, sister,” and gave me a tight hug. He spoke something in his mother tongue that seemed kind and he patted his heart.

I cried as he walked away and texted my husband and sisters. I told them how thankful I was for our blessings and asked for them to pray for him. I always wonder if he ever found kindness and was able to start his job? I pray he has found safety in America. Remember to always be kind.